On October 17–18, 2026, Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences hosted the "Planet Ocean" thematic venue as part of the "Science 0+" International Festival. Russia’s oldest and largest center for the study of the World Ocean opened once again its doors to all those with a curious mind. The venue welcomed over 300 visitors, including a group of volunteers, to whom the organizers extend their special thanks.

The program opened with welcoming remarks from Alexander Osadchiev, Deputy Director for Scientific and Organizational Affairs. Guests attended lectures by Sergey Smolitsky, titled "The History of Human Exploration into the Depths of Seas and Oceans," and Yulia Zyulyaeva, "How to Power a Light Bulb Using Ocean Waves," and also enjoyed film screenings in the Grand Conference Hall. Participants were offered guided tours of the Institute’s museum (led by Larisa Antonova), the collection of deep-sea fauna and oceanic fish (led by Georgy Vinogradov), and the only core scanner of its kind in Russia (presented by Daniil Mironov). Furthermore, visitors explored an exhibition of scientific instruments and equipment, tried their hand at using a microscope, learned to tie nautical knots, engaged in informal conversations with scientists, and took photos with a coelacanth (latimeria). Maxim Tolstoy, a cinematographer from the video studio, handled photography for the festival, while Andrey Muratov, Deputy Head of the IT Department, provided technical support for the venue.

For the "Science 0+" festival, the team from the museum and library complex of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology (IO RAS) prepared a space for a new exhibition. Their efforts transformed a section of the museum into a venue for exploring the fascinating world of the seabed. The exhibition was created by Darya Portnova from the Laboratory of Ocean Benthic Fauna, with contributions from Antonina Kremenetskaya, Elena Rybakova, Prokhor Smolievsky (a student at the Timiryazev Academy), and Elizaveta Skugarevskaya (a student from the Faculty of Biology at Moscow State University). The collection of museum artifacts and large-format photographs highlights the diversity of life in the ocean. Other colleagues also provided support: Zoya Dudnik contributed live specimens, while staff from the Laboratory of Ocean Benthic Fauna selected samples of echinoderms and corals for the display. Festival guests received small keepsakes — tiny bottles containing a piece of the marine world, along with custom-designed postcards featuring images of benthic fauna.

A distinct highlight of the venue was the artistic-research laboratory "Light-Creation: Invisible Movements of the Ocean," held as part of the "Science as Art" initiative—a project by Vera Linnik within the framework of the Decade of Science and Technology.